“I will only mention that the independent power of words to affect the writing of history is a thing to be watched out for. They have an almost frightening autonomous power to produce in the mind of the reader an image or idea that was not in the mind of the writer. Obviously they operate this way in all forms of writing, but history is particularly sensitive because one has a duty to be accurate, and careless use of words can leave a false impression one had not intended.”

American historian, journalist, and author

Barbara W. Tuchman was an American historian, journalist, and author. She lived in the 20th century and won the Pulitzer Prize twice. She is best known for her history writing, especially "The Guns of August," which examined the prelude to and first month of World War I, and "Stilwell and the American Experience in China," her biography of General Joseph Stilwell. Her work focused on military history and the people and events that shaped major wars.